As usual, the first step consists in solving the related homogeneous ODE : (x^2-1)y''-2xy'+2y=0. What did you obtain ?

February 13th 2013, 11:50 AM

HallsofIvy

Re: solution of differential eqn

That is a "linear differential equation with variable coefficients". It has x= 1 as a "regular singular value" and you need to use "Frobenius's method" to find a solution about x= 1 (if, for example, the problem includes initial values at x= 1). For solutions about x, not equal to 1, you use a regular power series solution.

February 14th 2013, 03:49 AM

JJacquelin

Re: solution of differential eqn

Hi prasum !
If you have solved the homogeneous ODE : (x²-1)y''-2xy'+2y=0, you obtained :
y = c1*x+c2(x+1)²
Then, in order to solve the complete ODE : (x²-1)y''-2xy'+2y=(x²-1)² , you have to find a particular solution.
Consider one solution of the homogeneous ODE and replace its coefficient by an unknown function f(x). For example :
y = f(x)*x (which is simpler than the other possible option f(x)*(x+1)²)
Compute f'(x) and f''(x) and bring them back into (x²-1)y''-2xy'+2y=(x²-1)²
You will observe that the the second order ODE is reduced to a first order ODE with the unknown g(x)=f'(x).
This linear first order ODE is easy to solve, leading to g(x) then, after integration, to f(x) and finally to y(x)=x*f(x).

February 14th 2013, 04:47 AM

prasum

Re: solution of differential eqn

Didnt uNderstand

February 14th 2013, 05:12 AM

JJacquelin

Re: solution of differential eqn

Did it and you will understand it.

February 15th 2013, 11:26 AM

Zoli

Re: solution of differential eqn

You may get an exact solution:
Let a particular solution, . Because the differential equation is a linear one, we may use d'Alambert's reduction method: . If we substitute it to the homogenous equation for , then we get:.
After substituting , we may conclude to a separable first order ODE. We then solve it for , integrate it to get and finally will be the solution.